The Manager shall be the contracting officer of the Municipality and shall award and execute contracts and agreements on behalf of the Municipality in the manner and under the procedures required by this Charter, provided that:
(a) When the expenditure of funds for the purchase of supplies, equipment or materials, or to provide labor for any work to be performed under a contract exceeds the amount specified by the laws of the State of Ohio for which such purchases or work may be accomplished without advertisement and competitive bidding, such expenditure shall first be authorized and directed by ordinance passed by the Council. The Manager shall award a written contract to the lowest and best bidder after advertisement on the same day of each week for not less than two (2) nor more than four (4) consecutive weeks in a newspaper determined by the Council to be of circulation within the Municipality.
(b) Compensation of persons and employees; contracts with persons, firms or corporations for services requiring specialized skill, knowledge, or training; and expenditures required because of a real and present emergency arising in connection with the construction, maintenance, operation or repair of municipal buildings, equipment and facilities, and provision for municipal services, when authorized by ordinance adopted by an affirmative vote of four (4) members of the Council, need not be advertised and notices need not be published as provided hereinabove.
(c) Modifications and changes to contracts awarded under competitive bidding, and in excess of the amount specified by the laws of the State of Ohio for which competitive bidding is required shall first be authorized by ordinance, however, competitive bidding shall not be required.
(d) The Manager may designate an administrative officer or employee of the Municipality to act as purchasing agent to award and execute contracts, orders or agreements on behalf of the Municipality, when such contracts, orders or agreements do not authorize an expenditure of money in excess of the amount specified by the laws of the State of Ohio for which competitive bidding is required.
(e) The Manager or any other person designated by the Manager as purchasing agent, shall not willfully cause or allow any contract or order to be split or divided into separate orders or contracts in order to avoid the requirements of competitive bidding as provided by this Charter.